Method and apparatus for providing a tunnel speed estimate based on probe data

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided for determining tunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel. A tunnel processing platform aggregates probe data associated with at least one vehicle into at least one tunnel path based, at least in part, on a network geometry topology for at least one tunnel. The tunnel processing platform also designates at least one probe point collected upstream of the at least one tunnel as at least one starting point of the at least one tunnel path and at least one temporary probe point as at least one endpoint of the at least one tunnel path, wherein the at least one temporary probe point is downstream of the at least one tunnel. It then determines at least one temporary tunnel speed for the at least one tunnel path based, at least in part, on the timestamp for the at least one probe point and the current time associated with the at least one temporary probe point.

BACKGROUND

Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular,etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience toconsumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. Onearea of interest has been the development of services for trackingvehicles as they drive along roadways and/or navigate to differentdestinations, including global positioning system (GPS) based services.For example, a mapping service may collect and process GPS probe datashared during driving of a vehicle to determine the vehicle's locationand generate corresponding mapping or routing data. Unfortunately, GPSsatellite signals are lost when a vehicle travels into tunnels orunderground roadways. Resultantly, services that rely on the analysis ofthis GPS probe data for navigation processing are unable to determinethe speed of vehicles or access real-time traffic conditions as vehiclestravel through tunnels.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for determining tunnel speedfor a vehicle travelling through a tunnel.

According to one embodiment, a method comprises causing, at least inpart, an aggregation of probe data associated with at least one vehicleinto at least one tunnel path based, at least in part, on a networkgeometry topology for at least one tunnel. The method also comprisescausing, at least in part, a designation of at least one probe pointcollected upstream of the at least one tunnel as at least one startingpoint of the at least one tunnel path, wherein a timestamp for the atleast one probe point is a collection time of the at least one probepoint. The method also comprises causing, at least in part, adesignation of at least one temporary probe point as at least oneendpoint of the at least one tunnel path, wherein the at least onetemporary probe point is downstream of the at least one tunnel andwherein a timestamp for the at least one temporary probe point is acurrent time. The method further comprises determining at least onetemporary tunnel speed for the at least one tunnel path based, at leastin part, on the timestamp for the at least one probe point and thecurrent time associated with the at least one temporary probe point.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least oneprocessor, and at least one memory including computer program code forone or more computer programs, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, atleast in part, the apparatus to cause, at least in part, an aggregationof probe data associated with at least one vehicle into at least onetunnel path based, at least in part, on a network geometry topology forat least one tunnel. The apparatus also causes, at least in part, adesignation of at least one probe point collected upstream of the atleast one tunnel as at least one starting point of the at least onetunnel path, wherein a timestamp for the at least one probe point is acollection time of the at least one probe point. The apparatus alsocauses, at least in part, a designation of at least one temporary probepoint as at least one endpoint of the at least one tunnel path, whereinthe at least one temporary probe point is downstream of the at least onetunnel and wherein a timestamp for the at least one temporary probepoint is a current time. The apparatus is further caused to determine atleast one temporary tunnel speed for the at least one tunnel path based,at least in part, on the timestamp for the at least one probe point andthe current time associated with the at least one temporary probe point.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage mediumcarries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, anapparatus to cause, at least in part, an aggregation of probe dataassociated with at least one vehicle into at least one tunnel pathbased, at least in part, on a network geometry topology for at least onetunnel. The apparatus is also caused, at least in part, a designation ofat least one probe point collected upstream of the at least one tunnelas at least one starting point of the at least one tunnel path, whereina timestamp for the at least one probe point is a collection time of theat least one probe point. The apparatus is also caused, at least inpart, a designation of at least one temporary probe point as at leastone endpoint of the at least one tunnel path, wherein the at least onetemporary probe point is downstream of the at least one tunnel andwherein a timestamp for the at least one temporary probe point is acurrent time. The apparatus is further caused to determine at least onetemporary tunnel speed for the at least one tunnel path based, at leastin part, on the timestamp for the at least one probe point and thecurrent time associated with the at least one temporary probe point.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means forcausing, at least in part, an aggregation of probe data associated withat least one vehicle into at least one tunnel path based, at least inpart, on a network geometry topology for at least one tunnel. Theapparatus also comprises means for causing, at least in part, adesignation of at least one probe point collected upstream of the atleast one tunnel as at least one starting point of the at least onetunnel path, wherein a timestamp for the at least one probe point is acollection time of the at least one probe point. The apparatus alsocomprises means for causing, at least in part, a designation of at leastone temporary probe point as at least one endpoint of the at least onetunnel path, wherein the at least one temporary probe point isdownstream of the at least one tunnel and wherein a timestamp for the atleast one temporary probe point is a current time. The apparatus furthercomprises means for determining at least one temporary tunnel speed forthe at least one tunnel path based, at least in part, on the timestampfor the at least one probe point and the current time associated withthe at least one temporary probe point.

In addition, for various example embodiments of the invention, thefollowing is applicable: a method comprising facilitating a processingof and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at leastone signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least onesignal based, at least in part, on (or derived at least in part from)any one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in thisapplication as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is alsoapplicable: a method comprising facilitating access to at least oneinterface configured to allow access to at least one service, the atleast one service configured to perform any one or any combination ofnetwork or service provider methods (or processes) disclosed in thisapplication.

For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is alsoapplicable: a method comprising facilitating creating and/orfacilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface elementand/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) atleast one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one deviceuser interface functionality based, at least in part, on data and/orinformation resulting from one or any combination of methods orprocesses disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment ofthe invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or anycombination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application asrelevant to any embodiment of the invention.

For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is alsoapplicable: a method comprising creating and/or modifying (1) at leastone device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device userinterface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interfaceelement and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionalitybased at least in part on data and/or information resulting from one orany combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this applicationas relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least onesignal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes)disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of theinvention.

In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes) can beaccomplished on the service provider side or on the mobile device sideor in any shared way between service provider and mobile device withactions being performed on both sides.

For various example embodiments, the following is applicable: Anapparatus comprising means for performing the method of any oforiginally filed claims 1-10, 21-30, and 46-48.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention arereadily apparent from the following detailed description, simply byillustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations,including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Theinvention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and itsseveral details can be modified in various obvious respects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, andnot by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for determining tunnel speed for avehicle travelling through a tunnel, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a tunnel processing platform,according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B are flowcharts of processes for determiningtunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel, according tovarious embodiments;

FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams of procedures carried out for determiningtunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel, according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement anembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can beused to implement an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for determiningtunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel are disclosed. Inthe following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the inventionmay be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalentarrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuringthe embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a diagram of a system for determining tunnel speed for avehicle travelling through a tunnel, according to one embodiment. Forthe purpose of illustration herein, a tunnel may include any enclosure,structure or the like that encompasses a roadway through which vehiclesor pedestrians drive. Typically, a roadway may be characterized as anetwork of links that extend about a geographic area. Each link includesat least a beginning node and a terminating node, where each node servesas a connection point to another link (e.g., an intersection, anentranceway), a terminating of the current link, etc. The network oflinks and/or nodes may be stored to a geographic informationsystem/database (e.g., database 119) for use by various location basedservices. The road/link segments and nodes may also be associated withattributes, such as geographic coordinates, street names, addressranges, speed limits, turn restrictions at intersections, and othernavigation related attributes, as well as POIs, such as gasolinestations, hotels, restaurants, museums, stadiums, offices, automobiledealerships, auto repair shops, buildings, stores, parks, bridges,tunnels, etc.

Location based services such as mapping and navigation services ortraffic services may access the above described database to providereal-time navigation instructions or visual maps to requesting drivers.The ability of service providers to generate and convey such informationis based upon the ability of the service to track the real-timelocation, position, direction/bearing, time, etc., of drivers as theytravel in their vehicles. Typically, these services rely upon globalpositioning service (GPS) techniques for enabling such tracking, whereina device such as an onboard navigator or mobile phone of the driverservices as a probing mechanism. Under this scenario, the probe employsvarious sensors to collect the relevant tracking data and communicatesthis information as probe data to one or more GPS satellites availableto the service providers. By way of example, GPS probe data may bepersistently shared as one or more data packets or strings thereof forspecifying the current latitude, longitude, altitude, heading, speed,precision, etc., of the vehicle.

Unfortunately, GPS satellite signals are lost when vehicles drive intotunnels, underground roadway systems or any other stretch of roadwayfeaturing one or more physical obstructions (e.g., a canyon).Consequently, location based service providers that rely on GPS probedata for traffic processing are unable to accurately estimate vehiclespeed and/or location within the tunnel. Current approaches toaddressing this issue, such as dead-reckoning approximation, stillrequire the vehicle to have emerged from the tunnel in order to performany estimations of value. However, the tracking accuracy of the vehicleis limited given that the probe must first reacquire the satellitesignal upon exiting the tunnel, further causing inaccurate map matchingor location determination results.

Still further, the inability of service providers to receive and processreal-time probe data when a vehicle enters a tunnel impedes the abilityof providers to determine current traffic conditions and/or statuswithin the tunnel. For example, without being able to approximate thevehicle speed, the provider cannot accurately determine a level ofcongestion of vehicles in the tunnel nor account for changing congestionconditions within the tunnel. In the case where congestion isencountered within the tunnel, significant amounts of time can elapsebetween a probe entering the tunnel and the same probe providing currentdata upon exiting the tunnel.

To address this issue, system 100 of FIG. 1 enables navigation systemsand services, i.e., as used by a vehicle or in connection with userequipment (e.g., a mobile device), to estimate the speed of a vehicledriving through a tunnel. The estimation is calculated based on tunnelpath data collected for one or more vehicles. By way of example, thetunnel path data may specify a path through a tunnel extending from atleast one probe point associated with an upstream link of the tunnel toat least one related probe point associated with a downstream link ofthe tunnel. In addition, the system 100 enables the determining of atraffic status, a congestion level associated with the tunnel, or thelike based, at least in part, on the estimated speed.

In one embodiment, a tunnel processing platform 103 of system 100operates in connection with one or more user equipment (UE) 101 a-101 n,referred to herein collectively as UE 101. By way of example, the UE 101may be an in-vehicle navigation system, a personal navigation device(“PND”), a portable navigation device, a cellular telephone, a mobilephone, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a watch, a camera, acomputer and/or other device that can perform navigation or locationbased functions, i.e., digital routing and map display. It iscontemplated, in future embodiments, that the cellular telephone may beinterfaced with an on-board navigation system of an autonomous vehicleor physically connected to the vehicle for serving as the navigationsystem. Also, the UE 101 may be configured to access a communicationnetwork 105 by way of any known or still developing communicationprotocols. Per this communication network 105, the UE 101 may transmitprobe data as well as access various network based services forfacilitating.

Also, the UE 101 may be configured with navigation applications 111a-111 n (also collectively referred to as applications 111) forinteracting with one or more content providers 115 a-115 n, services 109a-109 n of a service platform 107, or a combination thereof. Per theseservices, the navigation applications 111 of the UE 101 may acquirenavigation information, location information, mapping information andother data associated with the current location of the vehicle, adirection or movement of the vehicle along a roadway, etc. Hence, thecontent providers 115 (collectively referred to as content providers115) and services 109 a-109 n (collectively referred to as services 109)rely upon the gathering of probe data for executing the aforementionedservices.

The UE 101 may be configured with various sensors 110 a-110 n (alsocollectively referred to as sensors 110) for acquiring and/or generatingprobe data regarding a vehicle, a driver, other vehicles, conditionsregarding the driving environment or roadway, etc. For example, sensors110 may be used as GPS receivers for interacting with one or moresatellites 117 to determine and track the current speed, position andlocation of a vehicle travelling along a roadway. In addition, thesensors 110 may gather tilt data (e.g., a degree of incline or declineof the vehicle during travel), motion data, light data, sound data,image data, weather data, temporal data and other data associated withthe vehicle and/or UEs 101 thereof. Still further, the sensors 110 maydetect local or transient network and/or wireless signals, such as thosetransmitted by nearby devices during navigation of a vehicle along aroadway. This may include, for example, network routers configuredwithin a premise (e.g., home or business), another UE 101 or vehicle ora communicable traffic system (e.g., traffic lights, traffic cameras,traffic signals, digital signage). It is noted that the above describeddata may be transmitted to the satellites 117 as GPS data according toany known wireless communication protocols.

In one embodiment, the tunnel processing platform 103 aggregates probedata gathered and/or generated by UE 101 resulting from the driving ofmultiple different vehicles through a given tunnel. The probe data maybe aggregated by the tunnel processing platform 103 to generate aprobe-path and corresponding tunnel path data in association with atunnel encountered by/driven through by respective vehicles. By way ofexample, a probe-path may be depicted as a path extending from a firstprobe point and a second probe point associated with an upstream ordownstream link of a tunnel. Under this scenario, a tunnel may featureat probe path corresponding to each entrance and exit of a tunnel. Forexample, in the case of a tunnel featuring a single entrance and exit, afirst probe-path of the tunnel may be defined as a path extending from afirst probe point (e.g., as captured during a segment of the upstreamlink) to a second probe point (e.g., as captured during a segment of theupstream link closer to the entrance of the tunnel). The second probepath would be defined as a path extending from a third probe point(e.g., as captured at a point along the segment of the downstream linkfollowing the exit) to a fourth probe point (e.g., as captured furtherdownstream from the exit).

Also, a tunnel path can be calculated as a path through the tunnelextending from at least one probe point (e.g., a location/time)associated with an upstream link of a tunnel to at least one relatedprobe point associated with the downstream link of the tunnel. Thetunnel path may extend from the probe point nearest the entrance to theexit(s) of a tunnel, thus approximating a distance/length/path totraverse the tunnel. Alternatively, a super path may be defined toextend from a probe point further upstream from the entrance to thetunnel to a probe point further downstream from the exit, thusrepresenting a distance/length/path to traverse the tunnel and at leasta portion of the upstream and downstream links.

It is noted, per the above described scenarios, that each of the probepoints where probe data is captured is associated with the same probeidentifier/UE 101 identifier. As such, any probe data captured inconnection with the same probe identifier is associated with the samesegment of roadway/link, tunnel, geographic location, time interval,vehicle/driver, etc.

In one embodiment, the tunnel processing platform 103 also generates anetwork geometry topology based on the aggregated tunnel path data. Forthe purpose of illustration herein, the network geometry topologydefines the arrangement of and/or relationship between the various linksand/or nodes surrounding the tunnel for which the probe data wasgathered. As such, the network geometry topology may be depictedphysically or logically and maintained as a dataset in association witha unique identifier of the tunnel via a probe database 113. The tunnelidentifier may be established by providers of the content, the serviceplatform 107 or the geographic information system database 119 forenabling subsequent cross referencing, matching and validation of theprobe data.

In one embodiment, the tunnel processing platform 103 validates theaggregated probe point data and tunnel paths by performing a mapmatching procedure. By way of example, the map matching may includecomparing the upstream and downstream location data for respectiveprobes associated with the same identifier against known mappinginformation to determine a match. If the upstream probe-path anddownstream probe-paths are determined valid, their corresponding probepoints are validated as being correctly map-matched. The matchingprocess also ensures more accurate identification of a tunnel or roadwaylink upon which a vehicle is driving and reduces the likelihood ofimproper identification of probes relative to a given probe point. It isnoted that the network geometry topology data may be cross referencedfor validation and identification purposes to eliminate/disambiguateirrelevant roadway links that are not part of the defined networkgeometry topology.

In one embodiment, the tunnel processing platform 103 calculates anestimated speed of a vehicle as it travels through a tunnel. Theestimate is determined based, at least in part, on identification of thetunnel upon which the vehicle is driving as well as the determined probepath for a given tunnel. By way of example, the tunnel processingplatform 103 utilizes the timestamp information and location informationas collected at respective probe points along the upstream anddownstream links. The tunnel processing platform 103 then utilizes thisdata to estimate the average speed through the tunnel paths as follows:

Average Speed=Tunnel-Path Length(Location 2−Location 1)÷Time Difference

The time difference may be determined based on the timestamps determinedat respective probe points.

It is noted the above described approach may be employed by the tunnelprocessing platform 103 in cases where the flow of traffic through atunnel is mild or there is slight congestion (slowly moving traffic). Inthis case, the calculation is able to be performed due to theavailability of upstream and downstream probe data. However, in the casewhere there is heavy congestion (very limited speed) in the tunnel, thetunnel processing platform 103 may not have access to the downstreamprobe data.

In one embodiment, the tunnel processing platform 103 designates a probepoint along a location downstream link of the tunnel in response toentry of the vehicle onto an upstream link of a tunnel. Per thisscenario, the designated probe point serves as a temporary probe point(location/time) for determining an estimated speed of the vehicle as ittravels through the tunnel. By way of example, the tunnel processingplatform 103 records the timestamp corresponding to entry of the vehicleonto an upstream link of the tunnel and assigns the designated probepoint to the local current time. Hence, the timestamp for the designatedor temporary probe point is non-static while the timestamp recorded forthe probe at the upstream links is static. Resultantly, the timestampassociated with the temporary probe point at the downstream linkincreases the longer the vehicle remains within the tunnel, thusincreasing the time window.

In one embodiment, the tunnel processing platform 103 determines atemporary probe-path across the tunnel based on the initial (upstreamlink) probe data and the temporary probe data as follows:

Estimated Speed=Temporary Tunnel-Path Length(Temp Location 2−Location1)÷(Current Time−Time 1),

The value for Temp Location 2 corresponds to the location of thedesignated downstream probe point and the current time corresponds tothe increasing current time.

It is noted that the above calculation may be performed based on theprocessing of probe data in association with a common vehicle identifierand/or UE 101 identifier. As such, the tunnel processing platform 103 isable to determine when the vehicle corresponding to an initial set ofprobe data and temporary probe data enters and subsequently exits thetunnel. Per this approach, as soon as a probe that is associated with aunique vehicle and/or UE 101 identifier traverses the upstream link, thecorresponding temporary probe point is created for this vehicle and theestimated tunnel speed is calculated immediately. Once the vehicletraverses the tunnel, however and GPS probe data is capable oftransmission, the estimated tunnel speed is replaced with the actualspeed.

In one embodiment, the tunnel processing platform 103 determines anestimated traffic congestion status of the tunnel based on the estimated(temporary) tunnel speed. Under this scenario, the tunnel processingplatform 103 analyzes the estimated speed to whether it meets one ormore predetermined speed thresholds or if certain conditions are met. Byway of example, in the case where a vehicle has a delayed exit from atunnel, the value of the calculated temporary speed would continue todrop as the time window within the tunnel increases. Resultantly, whenthe estimated speed is determined to reach a value of X, the tunnelprocessing platform 103 may be configured to execute an action such aspublish and/or generate a message for indicating the congestion status.Alternatively, when the estimated speed is determined to drop further toa value Y, the tunnel processing platform 103 may determine theusefulness of such a speed calculation is diminished and stop anyfurther presentment of the value.

As another example, when the estimated (temporary) speed is determinedto reach a value Z, the tunnel processing platform 103 may associatethis speed with a mild and/or heavy traffic condition. Resultantly, thetunnel processing platform 103 may publish and/or generate a message forindicating the mild and/or heavy congestion. It is noted that thepublished and/or generated estimated traffic congestion status may berendered directly the UE 101 via the navigation application 111.Alternatively, the estimated traffic congestion status may be directlyshared with the content provider 115, the services 109 of the serviceplatform 107, or a combination thereof.

By way of example, the tunnel processing platform 103 may be implementedas a cloud based service, hosted solution or the like for performing theabove described functions. Alternatively, the tunnel processing platform103 may be directly integrated for processing data generated and/orprovided by one or more services 109 a-109 n, content providers 115a-115 n or applications 111 a-111 n. Per this integration, the tunnelprocessing platform 103 may translate location based information,navigation related content or the like into useful speed calculationsfor use when vehicles travel into tunnels.

By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includesone or more networks such as a data network, a wireless network, atelephony network, or any combination thereof. It is contemplated thatthe data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., theInternet), short range wireless network, or any other suitablepacket-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietarypacket-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-opticnetwork, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, thewireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employvarious technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution(EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobilecommunications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS),universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as anyother suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability formicrowave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, codedivision multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access(WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth®,Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network(MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof.

The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portableterminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimediacomputer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktopcomputer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tabletcomputer, personal communication system (PCS) device, personalnavigation device, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio/videoplayer, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, televisionreceiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game device,or any combination thereof, including the accessories and peripherals ofthese devices, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated thatthe UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as“wearable” circuitry, etc.).

By way of example, the UEs 101, tunnel processing platform 103, theservice platform 107, and the content providers 115 communicate witheach other and other components of the communication network 105 usingwell known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, aprotocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes withinthe communication network 105 interact with each other based oninformation sent over the communication links. The protocols areeffective at different layers of operation within each node, fromgenerating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selectinga link for transferring those signals, to the format of informationindicated by those signals, to identifying which software applicationexecuting on a computer system sends or receives the information. Theconceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging informationover a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)Reference Model.

Communications between the network nodes are typically effected byexchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1)header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2)payload information that follows the header information and containsinformation that may be processed independently of that particularprotocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer informationfollowing the payload and indicating the end of the payload information.The header includes information such as the source of the packet, itsdestination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by theprotocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocolincludes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with adifferent, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for aparticular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocolcontained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to beencapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in apacket traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet,typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2)header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4)header, and various application (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) headersas defined by the OSI Reference Model.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a tunnel processing platform,according to one embodiment. By way of example, the tunnel processingplatform 103 includes one or more components for determining tunnelspeed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel. It is contemplated thatthe functions of these components may be combined or performed by othercomponents of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the tunnelprocessing platform 103 includes an authentication module 201, aprocessing module 203, a topography module 205, a calculation module207, a communication module 209 and a user interface module 211.

The authentication module 201 authenticates users and UE 101 forinteraction with the tunnel processing platform 103. By way of example,the authentication module 201 receives a request to access the tunnelprocessing platform 103 via an application 111. The request may besubmitted to the authentication module 201 via the communication module209, which enables an interface between the navigation application 111and the platform 103. In addition, the authentication module 201 mayreceive a first-time subscription request from a UE 101, a request tocreate a user profile, a permission message validating consent by a UE101 to share contextual information with the platform 103, or acombination thereof. It is noted that the authentication module 201 mayfurther be configured to support and/or validate the formation ofprofile by a provider of a service 109 or content provider 115, i.e.,for supporting integration of the tunnel speed determinationcapabilities with said providers or services.

The processing module 203 operates in connection with the topographymodule 205 to collect and analyze probe data as generated by one or moreauthenticated UE 101. The processing module 203 aggregates the probedata generated by the sensors of the UE 101 for specifying the GPS probedata along with other sensor readings such as acceleration, roadcurvature, vehicle tilt, driving mode, brake pressure, etc. It thenstores this as probe data to database 113 in association with a uniqueidentifier of the vehicle, driver of UE 101 that transmitted the probedata. The processing module also generates a probe path based on thecollection of probe data corresponding to points along the upstream anddownstream links of a tunnel.

The processing module 203 compares the probe data (e.g., location,direction) and probe-paths as generated against existing networkgeometry topology data to determine if they match a known tunnel inwhich the vehicle is traversing. In addition, the topography module 205performs map matching for validating the aggregated probe data. It isnoted that the topography module 205 may also operate upon the probedata as aggregated by the processing module 203 to generate and/orupdate network geometry topology data regarding a tunnel. As such, thenetwork geometry topology may be generated to specify the upstream links(and corresponding probe paths) to the tunnel and the downstream links(and corresponding probe paths) to the tunnels.

The calculation module 207 processes the upstream and downstreamprobe-paths into tunnel-paths. The tunnel paths may be generated usingtwo upstream and downstream probes points with the same probe-IDs,wherein the distance between the two probe points defines thelength/extent of the path through the tunnel. It is noted that use ofcalculated probe-paths instead of individual probe-points mitigateserrors and increases the likelihood of identification of a tunnel uponwhich a vehicle is currently driving. This also increases theeffectiveness of map matching, as the mapping service would haveautomatically eliminated any wrongly map-matched probe-points that donot correspond to the network geometry topology data.

In addition, the calculation module 207 determines an estimatedtemporary speed to associate with a vehicle/UE 101 once it is determinedto have entered onto the upstream link or into the tunnel. By way ofexample, the calculation module 207 designates a temporary probe pointto the vehicle/UE 101 corresponding to a location along the downstreamlink. The calculation module also assigns this temporary probe pointwith a “running” timestamp, wherein the timestamp is equal to thecurrent local time. Once established, the calculation module 207 thendetermines a temporary tunnel path for the vehicle/UE 101 accordinglyand calculates an estimated speed of the vehicle.

As the time in which the vehicle stays within the tunnel increases, theestimated tunnel speed is persistently updated accordingly. Once thespeed reaches a predetermined threshold, the calculation module 207triggers execution of the communication module 209 and/or user interfacemodule 211 to facilitate the publishing and/or presentment of acongestion status of the vehicle. For example, a determined speed ofless than 15 miles per hour may correspond to a heavy congestion statusrelative to a maximum allowed tunnel speed of 50 miles per hour. Asanother example, a speed of 30 miles per hour may correspond to acongestion status of light to moderate. It is noted that the calculationmodule 207 may further access a geographic database for determiningrelative speed limits along a link, known curvature characteristics, orother information that may impact the relevancy, accuracy, effectivenessor context of a determined estimated (temporary) speed calculation.

The calculation module 207 also adapts the estimated speed to the actualspeed upon determining emergence of the vehicle/UE 101 from a tunnel.This is based on the processing of probe data by the processing module203 for indicating that the vehicle has traversed through the tunnel.Once adapted, the calculation module 107 further triggers execution ofthe communication module 209 and/or user interface module 211 to publishand/or present the updated speed value.

It is further noted that the user interface module 211 may operate inconnection with the communication module 209 to facilitate the exchangeof tunnel speed information and vehicle status information via thecommunication network 105 with respect to the services 109, contentproviders 115 and applications 111. Alternatively, the communicationmodule 209 may facilitate transmission of the calculated speed andcongestion status information directly to the services 109 or contentproviders 115.

The above presented modules and components of the tunnel processingplatform 103 can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or acombination thereof. Though depicted as a separate entity in FIG. 1, itis contemplated that the platform 103 may be implemented for directoperation by respective UEs 101. As such, the tunnel processing platform103 may generate direct signal inputs by way of the operating system ofthe UE 101 for interacting with the application 111. In anotherembodiment, one or more of the modules 201-211 may be implemented foroperation by respective UEs as a platform 103, cloud based service, orcombination thereof.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B are flowcharts of processes for determining aposition of a vehicle relative to a travel path based on drivingbehavior, according to various embodiments. In one embodiment, thetunnel processing platform 103 performs processes 300, 312, 400 and 404and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processorand a memory as shown in FIG. 7.

In step 301 of process 300, the tunnel processing platform 103 causes,at least in part, an aggregation of probe data associated with at leastone vehicle into at least one tunnel path based, at least in part, on anetwork geometry topology for at least one tunnel. As mentionedpreviously, the network geometry topology defines the arrangement ofand/or relationship between the various links and/or nodes surroundingthe tunnel for which the probe data was gathered. It is noted that thenetwork geometry topology may be maintained directly by the platform 103or in connection with a provider of a geographic database, a contentprovider, a service, etc.

In step 303, the tunnel processing platform 103 causes, at least inpart, a designation of at least one probe point collected upstream ofthe at least one tunnel as at least one starting point of the at leastone tunnel path, wherein a timestamp for the at least one probe point isa collection time of the at least one probe point. In another step 305,the platform 103 causes, at least in part, a designation of at least onetemporary probe point as at least one endpoint of the at least onetunnel path, wherein the at least one temporary probe point isdownstream of the at least one tunnel and wherein a timestamp for the atleast one temporary probe point is a current time. As noted previously,the temporary probe point may be used for determining at least onetemporary tunnel speed for the at least one tunnel path based, at leastin part, on the timestamp for the at least one probe point and thecurrent time associated with the at least one temporary probe point,corresponding to step 307.

In step 309, the tunnel processing platform 103 determines that at leastone actual probe point associated with the at least one vehicle has beencollected downstream of the at least one tunnel. This corresponds to anemergence/exit of the vehicle from the tunnel, wherein the probe data isagain available for detection. In another step 311, the platform 103determines at least one real tunnel speed in place of the at least onetemporary tunnel speed based, at least in part, on the at least oneactual probe point. As noted previously, the real tunnel speed ispublished or conveyed instead of the estimated tunnel speed due to theexit of the vehicle from the tunnel.

In step 313 of process 312 (FIG. 3B), the tunnel processing platform 103causes, at least in part, an initiation of the determination of theestimated traffic congestion status if the at least one temporary tunnelspeed crosses at least one threshold level. The congestion status maycharacterize the congestion in the tunnel as “light” or “heavy.” Inanother step 315, the platform 103 determines congestion informationassociated with the one or more upstream links, the one or moredownstream links, or a combination thereof. The congestion informationmay include data for specifying an obstruction, a traffic condition, orother impediment to the vehicle. In yet another step 317, the platform103 determines an estimated traffic congestion status of the at leastone tunnel based, at least in part, on the at least one temporary tunnelspeed

In step 401 of step 400 (FIG. 4A), the tunnel processing platform 103causes, at least in part, a validation of the aggregation of the probedata into the at least one tunnel path by map-matching the probe data tothe network geometry topology, the one or more upstream links, the oneor more downstream links, the at least one tunnel, or a combinationthereof. In step 403, the platform 103 causes, at least in part, aflagging of the one or more upstream links, the one or more downstreamlinks, or a combination thereof in at least one mapping database toassociate the one or more upstream links, the one or more downstreamlinks, or a combination thereof with the at least one tunnel.

In step 405 of process 404 (FIG. 4B), the tunnel processing platform 103determines one or more upstream links, one or more downstream links, ora combination thereof associated with the at least one tunnel, whereinthe one or more upstream links represents one or more upstream travelsegments that is traveled to enter the at least one tunnel and whereinthe one or more downstream links represents one or more downstreamtravel segments that is traveled when exiting the at least one tunnel.As noted previously, this determination corresponds to an identificationof the tunnel by the platform 103. In another step 407, the platform 103causes, at least in part, a creation of the network geometry topologyfor the at least one tunnel based, at least in part, on the one or moreupstream links, the one or more downstream links, or a combinationthereof.

FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams of procedures carried out for determiningtunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel, according tovarious embodiments. For the purpose of illustration herein, thediagrams are described with respect to a vehicle having an on-boardnavigation system that is configured to interact with the tunnelprocessing platform 103.

In FIG. 5A, the tunnel processing platform 103 determines a tunnel pathof a tunnel 503 in which the vehicle is approaching. Under thisscenario, the roadway comprises multiple links, labelled herein asroadway links L0-L7 and links L3 and L4 are encompassed by the tunnel.As the vehicle drives along the upstream segments of the roadway, probedata is collected at a first probe point (P1) and then again at a secondprobe point (P2), corresponding to links L0 and L2 respectively. Theprobe data includes at least location information and time informationcorresponding to the respective points P1 and P2 and is associated witha common probe identifier, vehicle identifier, or the like. This definesa first probe path labeled Path 1, corresponding to an upstream link ofthe tunnel 503.

Similarly, when the vehicle traverses the tunnel, a second probe pathlabeled Path 2 is defined based on the collection of probe data at athird probe point (P3) and fourth probe point (P4). This probe pathextends from link L5 to L7 of the roadway and corresponds to adownstream link of the tunnel 503. Path 2 is also associated with thesame probe identifier, vehicle identifier, or the like. As such, thetunnel processing platform 103 may identify a tunnel path 505 of thetunnel 503 as a distance/path traversed through the tunnel extendingfrom P2 to P3. Another tunnel path (a super path 507) may also beidentified as a distance/path traversed through the tunnel extendingfrom P1 to P4.

Hence, the tunnel paths are derived from two (valid) probe-paths of thetunnel 503. The probe path data is aggregated by the tunnel processingplatform 103 into the tunnel path 505 and/or 507 based on a networkgeometry topology for the roadway/tunnel 503. Also, the aggregated probepaths are validated—determined to be a proper match to the tunnel—basedon map matching of the probe data defining the probe-paths. By way ofthis approach, the tunnel processing platform 103 ensures that probepoint location data that does not match the mapping information isdisregarded as such data would not result in a valid tunnel path asdefined per the network geometry topology.

It is noted that the aggregation procedure as described is performed bythe tunnel processing platform 103 based on the gathering of probe datafor several vehicles that traverse the same tunnel 503 within a timeepoch t. This results in persistent updating and/or generating of thenetwork geometry topology regarding the tunnel. In addition, the tunnelprocessing platform 103 may generate an average tunnel speed based onthe timestamp and location information aggregated over time. It iscontemplated in future embodiments, that the average tunnel speed ascalculated based on probe data at points P1-P4 (but not at points withinthe tunnel), may be utilized as a benchmark speed value. For example, ifan average speed through the tunnel is determined to be 45 miles perhour, this may be designated as a benchmark speed value for establishingone or more congestion thresholds for evaluating an effectiveness of anestimated speed of a vehicle within the tunnel.

In FIG. 5B, a scenario is depicted for a vehicle travelling onto andthrough a tunnel that is heavily congested. By way of example, a vehicletraveling in a direction 511 along a roadway comprised of roadway linksL0-L9 approaches a tunnel 513. The congestion status along the upstreamlink 515 of the tunnel 513 is favorable (no congestion) as the vehicleproceeds along the roadway and into the tunnel 513. During the drivealong the upstream link 515 of the tunnel, probe data is captured atprobe points P1 and P2 in connection with the vehicle (e.g., a vehicleidentifier) and an upstream probe-path (labeled Path 1) is determined.Also, at the time of capture of the probe data at points P1 and P2, animaginary (temporary) probe point labeled iP3 is designated by thetunnel processing platform 103 as an endpoint of the tunnel.

Under this scenario, the temporary probe point is designated at alocation along a downstream link 517 of the tunnel, corresponding toroadway link L8. In addition, a timestamp is designated in associationwith the temporary probe point iP3 as the current local time. Hence, thetemporary probe point (iP3) corresponds to specific location coordinatesand ever-changing timestamp information, and is used by the tunnelprocessing platform 103 to determine an imaginary (temporary) tunnelpath 519. In this case, the temporary tunnel path 519 extends throughthe tunnel from probe point P2 to the temporary probe point (iP3). Also,a temporary tunnel speed is determined based on the tunnel pathdetermination—i.e., as a ratio of the difference between the locationand timestamp information between respective probe points P2 and iP3.

As the vehicle enters the tunnel 513, the congestion level increases dueto an obstruction 521 along the roadway. Consequently, the temporary(estimated) tunnel speed decreases as the amount of time the vehicleremains in the tunnel 513 increases. This is depicted, by way ofexample, in FIG. 3 and illustrated for example purposes below withrespect to Table 1. It is assumed in this example that the length of thetunnel path 519—calculated based on the distance differential betweenprobe points P2 and iP3—is one mile.

TABLE 1 Current Time (min) 0.8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Temporary 75 60 3020 15 12 10 8.5 7.5 6.6 6 Tunnel Speed (mile/hr)

At a time of 0.8 minutes, corresponding to a moment of initial entry ofthe vehicle into the tunnel 513, the temporary (estimated) tunnel speedis determined to be 75 miles per hour. As the vehicle traverses thetunnel however, the estimated tunnel speed is continually updated, thusreflecting a decrease in speed. For example, after 3 minutes, theestimated tunnel speed is 20 miles per hour for the vehicle and isfurther determined to be 6.6 miles per after 9 minutes. This correspondsto the line graph 531 shown in FIG. 3, which depicts a significantdecrease in the estimated speed of the vehicle between time t=0.8minutes and t=2 minutes corresponding to the approaching of the vehicleto the obstruction, the disruption in traffic flow, etc. The estimatedspeed continues to decrease, albeit more gradually, as time elapses,thus depicting a continued limited traffic flow through the tunnel.

The tunnel processing platform 103 determines a traffic congestionstatus of the vehicle within the tunnel based on the estimated tunnelspeed. For example, an optimal traffic flow may be predetermined tocorrespond to any speed at or above the known speed limit. Hence, if thespeed limit is 60 miles per hour, the congestion status for the vehicleat t=0.8 and t=1.0 minutes is determined to be non-congested/optimal, asdepicted by the OPTIMAL label shown for these speeds in FIG. 5C. Asanother example, when the speed is determined to be within a range lessthan the speed maximum and above the speed minimum for thetunnel/roadway, this may correspond to light congestion status asdepicted by the LIGHT label shown for these speeds in FIG. 5C. As yetanother example, any speeds below the minimum speed limit for the tunnelmay be classified as heavy congestion, as depicted by the HEAVY labelshown for these speeds in FIG. 5C. Under this scenario, a heavycongestion status is determined from time t=2 minutes and beyond.

It is noted that various other means of determining the congestionstatus may be employed beyond the range based example presented above.For example, the threshold values or ranges may be specified by theprovider of the services 109 or different content providers 115 ataccording to their own preferences. Furthermore, various conditionalapproaches may be employed for determining the congestion status, suchas evaluating the rate of speed change or comparing of the estimatedspeed to a benchmark/normal speed through the tunnel. Regardless of theapproach employed, the tunnel processing platform 103 may interact witha requesting navigation device and/or service 109 or content provider115 to render the congestion status and estimated speed information tothe driver. For example, in FIG. 5D, a display 533 for showing a userinterface of a navigation device 540 of the vehicle is depicted.

In this example, the user interface presents a visual depiction (maprendering 535) of the tunnel along with a label 536 and descriptor 539for indicating heavy traffic within the tunnel. The user interface alsopresents the estimated speed of vehicle at the current time, which inthis case corresponds to a speed of 30 miles per hour after an elapsedtime of 2 minutes per Table 1. As the vehicle remains in the tunnel, theestimated speed value 537, label 536, descriptor 539 and map rendering535 are updated accordingly. By way of this approach, the driver ispresented with relevant information regarding their current drivingconditions despite the fact that no GPS probe data can be transmitted tothe satellites 117 and/or services 109 or content providers 115. It isnoted that the tunnel processing platform 103 may store the estimatedspeed data as aggregated for different vehicles to as historical data,i.e., to perform predictive modeling of traffic conditions, to determinetunnel traffic patterns, etc.

In keeping with the example presented with respect to FIG. 5B, FIG. 5Band Table 1, an actual probe point is finally detected when the vehicleenters onto the downstream link 517 of the tunnel at 10 minutes. Thisresults in the calculation of a real-time tunnel speed of 6 miles perhour. Under this scenario, the real-time tunnel speed is able to bedetermined due to the availability of satellite signal communicationwith the vehicle probe. Once determined, the estimated tunnel speed isno longer presented to the display 533 of FIG. 5D and the actual vehiclespeed of 6 miles per hour is presented as the value 537. It is notedthat the emergence of the vehicle from the tunnel is able to bedetermined based on a match between the probe identifier and/or vehicleidentifiers captured at the respective upstream and downstream probepoints of the tunnel.

The processes described herein for determining tunnel speed for avehicle travelling through a tunnel may be advantageously implementedvia software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/orfirmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein,may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital SignalProcessing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplaryhardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system 600 upon which an embodiment of theinvention may be implemented. Although computer system 600 is depictedwith respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplatedthat other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.)within FIG. 6 can deploy the illustrated hardware and components ofsystem 600. Computer system 600 is programmed (e.g., via computerprogram code or instructions) to determine tunnel speed for a vehicletravelling through a tunnel as described herein and includes acommunication mechanism such as a bus 610 for passing informationbetween other internal and external components of the computer system600. Information (also called data) is represented as a physicalexpression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, butincluding, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic,electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic,sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and southmagnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent twostates (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can representdigits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneousquantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). Asequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used torepresent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments,information called analog data is represented by a near continuum ofmeasurable values within a particular range. Computer system 600, or aportion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps ofdetermining tunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel.

A bus 610 includes one or more parallel conductors of information sothat information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus610. One or more processors 602 for processing information are coupledwith the bus 610.

A processor (or multiple processors) 602 performs a set of operations oninformation as specified by computer program code related to determinetunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel. The computerprogram code is a set of instructions or statements providinginstructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computersystem to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may bewritten in a computer programming language that is compiled into anative instruction set of the processor. The code may also be writtendirectly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). Theset of operations include bringing information in from the bus 610 andplacing information on the bus 610. The set of operations also typicallyinclude comparing two or more units of information, shifting positionsof units of information, and combining two or more units of information,such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR,exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operationsthat can be performed by the processor is represented to the processorby information called instructions, such as an operation code of one ormore digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor602, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processorinstructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply,computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical,electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, amongothers, alone or in combination.

Computer system 600 also includes a memory 604 coupled to bus 610. Thememory 604, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamicstorage device, stores information including processor instructions fordetermining tunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel.Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by thecomputer system 600. RAM allows a unit of information stored at alocation called a memory address to be stored and retrievedindependently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 604 isalso used by the processor 602 to store temporary values duringexecution of processor instructions. The computer system 600 alsoincludes a read only memory (ROM) 606 or any other static storage devicecoupled to the bus 610 for storing static information, includinginstructions, that is not changed by the computer system 600. Somememory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information storedthereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus 610 is a non-volatile(persistent) storage device 608, such as a magnetic disk, optical diskor flash card, for storing information, including instructions, thatpersists even when the computer system 600 is turned off or otherwiseloses power.

Information, including instructions for determining tunnel speed for avehicle travelling through a tunnel, is provided to the bus 610 for useby the processor from an external input device 612, such as a keyboardcontaining alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, a microphone, anInfrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, atouch screen, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinityand transforms those detections into physical expression compatible withthe measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computersystem 600. Other external devices coupled to bus 610, used primarilyfor interacting with humans, include a display device 614, such as acathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emittingdiode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a plasma screen, ora printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 616, suchas a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or a motion sensor, forcontrolling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display614 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented onthe display 614. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments inwhich the computer system 600 performs all functions automaticallywithout human input, one or more of external input device 612, displaydevice 614 and pointing device 616 is omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 620, is coupled to bus610. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operationsnot performed by processor 602 quickly enough for special purposes.Examples of ASICs include graphics accelerator cards for generatingimages for display 614, cryptographic boards for encrypting anddecrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, andinterfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medicalscanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence ofoperations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

Computer system 600 also includes one or more instances of acommunications interface 670 coupled to bus 610. Communication interface670 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety ofexternal devices that operate with their own processors, such asprinters, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with anetwork link 678 that is connected to a local network 680 to which avariety of external devices with their own processors are connected. Forexample, communication interface 670 may be a parallel port or a serialport or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. Insome embodiments, communications interface 670 is an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or atelephone modem that provides an information communication connection toa corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, acommunication interface 670 is a cable modem that converts signals onbus 610 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cableor into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiberoptic cable. As another example, communications interface 670 may be alocal area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connectionto a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also beimplemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 670 sendsor receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic orelectromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, thatcarry information streams, such as digital data. For example, inwireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones,the communications interface 670 includes a radio band electromagnetictransmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certainembodiments, the communications interface 670 enables connection to thecommunication network 105 for determining tunnel speed for a vehicletravelling through a tunnel to the UE 101.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing information to processor 602, includinginstructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms,including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g.,non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media.Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include, for example,optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 608. Volatile mediainclude, for example, dynamic memory 604. Transmission media include,for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiberoptic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wiresor cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, includingradio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transientvariations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or otherphysical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Commonforms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, aflexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, aCD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape,optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes orother optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip orcartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer canread. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to referto any computer-readable medium except transmission media.

Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both ofprocessor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and specialpurpose hardware, such as ASIC 620.

Network link 678 typically provides information communication usingtransmission media through one or more networks to other devices thatuse or process the information. For example, network link 678 mayprovide a connection through local network 680 to a host computer 682 orto equipment 684 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISPequipment 684 in turn provides data communication services through thepublic, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networksnow commonly referred to as the Internet 690.

A computer called a server host 692 connected to the Internet hosts aprocess that provides a service in response to information received overthe Internet. For example, server host 692 hosts a process that providesinformation representing video data for presentation at display 614. Itis contemplated that the components of system 600 can be deployed invarious configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host 682 andserver 692.

At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use ofcomputer system 600 for implementing some or all of the techniquesdescribed herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, thosetechniques are performed by computer system 600 in response to processor602 executing one or more sequences of one or more processorinstructions contained in memory 604. Such instructions, also calledcomputer instructions, software and program code, may be read intomemory 604 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device608 or network link 678. Execution of the sequences of instructionscontained in memory 604 causes processor 602 to perform one or more ofthe method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware,such as ASIC 620, may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the inventionare not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software,unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link 678 and other networks throughcommunications interface 670, carry information to and from computersystem 600. Computer system 600 can send and receive information,including program code, through the networks 680, 690 among others,through network link 678 and communications interface 670. In an exampleusing the Internet 690, a server host 692 transmits program code for aparticular application, requested by a message sent from computer 600,through Internet 690, ISP equipment 684, local network 680 andcommunications interface 670. The received code may be executed byprocessor 602 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 604 or instorage device 608 or any other non-volatile storage for laterexecution, or both. In this manner, computer system 600 may obtainapplication program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 602 forexecution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carriedon a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 682. The remotecomputer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory andsends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. Amodem local to the computer system 600 receives the instructions anddata on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convertthe instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier waveserving as the network link 678. An infrared detector serving ascommunications interface 670 receives the instructions and data carriedin the infrared signal and places information representing theinstructions and data onto bus 610. Bus 610 carries the information tomemory 604 from which processor 602 retrieves and executes theinstructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. Theinstructions and data received in memory 604 may optionally be stored onstorage device 608, either before or after execution by the processor602.

FIG. 7 illustrates a chip set or chip 700 upon which an embodiment ofthe invention may be implemented. Chip set 700 is programmed todetermine tunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel asdescribed herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memorycomponents described with respect to FIG. 6 incorporated in one or morephysical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical packageincludes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/orwires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one ormore characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size,and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that incertain embodiments the chip set 700 can be implemented in a singlechip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chipset or chip 700 can be implemented as a single “system on a chip.” It isfurther contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC wouldnot be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosedherein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip700, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one ormore steps of providing user interface navigation information associatedwith the availability of functions. Chip set or chip 700, or a portionthereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps ofdetermining tunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 700 includes a communicationmechanism such as a bus 701 for passing information among the componentsof the chip set 700. A processor 703 has connectivity to the bus 701 toexecute instructions and process information stored in, for example, amemory 705. The processor 703 may include one or more processing coreswith each core configured to perform independently. A multi-coreprocessor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package.Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greaternumbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor703 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via thebus 701 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, andmultithreading. The processor 703 may also be accompanied with one ormore specialized components to perform certain processing functions andtasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 707, or one ormore application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 709. A DSP 707typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) inreal time independently of the processor 703. Similarly, an ASIC 709 canbe configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed bya more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid inperforming the inventive functions described herein may include one ormore field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more controllers, orone or more other special-purpose computer chips.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 700 includes merely one or moreprocessors and some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relatingto and/or for the one or more processors.

The processor 703 and accompanying components have connectivity to thememory 705 via the bus 701. The memory 705 includes both dynamic memory(e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and staticmemory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructionsthat when executed perform the inventive steps described herein todetermine tunnel speed for a vehicle travelling through a tunnel. Thememory 705 also stores the data associated with or generated by theexecution of the inventive steps.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g.,handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the systemof FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobileterminal 801, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performingone or more steps of determining tunnel speed for a vehicle travellingthrough a tunnel. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in termsof front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiverencompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas theback-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As usedin this application, the term “circuitry” refers to both: (1)hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analogand/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry andsoftware (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particularcontext, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signalprocessor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause anapparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform variousfunctions). This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of thisterm in this application, including in any claims. As a further example,as used in this application and if applicable to the particular context,the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely aprocessor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanyingsoftware/or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover ifapplicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integratedcircuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phoneor a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or othernetwork devices.

Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main ControlUnit (MCU) 803, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 805, and areceiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and aspeaker gain control unit. A main display unit 807 provides a display tothe user in support of various applications and mobile terminalfunctions that perform or support the steps of determining tunnel speedfor a vehicle travelling through a tunnel. The display 807 includesdisplay circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a userinterface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally,the display 807 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate usercontrol of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audiofunction circuitry 809 includes a microphone 811 and microphoneamplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone811. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 811 is fedto a coder/decoder (CODEC) 813.

A radio section 815 amplifies power and converts frequency in order tocommunicate with a base station, which is included in a mobilecommunication system, via antenna 817. The power amplifier (PA) 819 andthe transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to theMCU 803, with an output from the PA 819 coupled to the duplexer 821 orcirculator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA 819 alsocouples to a battery interface and power control unit 820.

In use, a user of mobile terminal 801 speaks into the microphone 811 andhis or her voice along with any detected background noise is convertedinto an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into adigital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 823. Thecontrol unit 803 routes the digital signal into the DSP 805 forprocessing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding,encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voicesignals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellulartransmission protocol such as enhanced data rates for global evolution(EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobilecommunications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS),universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as anyother suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), LongTerm Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA),wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity(WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 825 for compensationof any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmissionthough the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizingthe bit stream, the modulator 827 combines the signal with a RF signalgenerated in the RF interface 829. The modulator 827 generates a sinewave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare thesignal for transmission, an up-converter 831 combines the sine waveoutput from the modulator 827 with another sine wave generated by asynthesizer 833 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. Thesignal is then sent through a PA 819 to increase the signal to anappropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 819 acts as avariable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 805 frominformation received from a network base station. The signal is thenfiltered within the duplexer 821 and optionally sent to an antennacoupler 835 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer.Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 817 to a local basestation. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control thegain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwardedfrom there to a remote telephone which may be another cellulartelephone, any other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 801 are received viaantenna 817 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA)837. A down-converter 839 lowers the carrier frequency while thedemodulator 841 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream.The signal then goes through the equalizer 825 and is processed by theDSP 805. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 843 converts the signal andthe resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 845,all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 803 which can beimplemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The MCU 803 receives various signals including input signals from thekeyboard 847. The keyboard 847 and/or the MCU 803 in combination withother user input components (e.g., the microphone 811) comprise a userinterface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU 803 runs a userinterface software to facilitate user control of at least some functionsof the mobile terminal 801 to determine tunnel speed for a vehicletravelling through a tunnel. The MCU 803 also delivers a display commandand a switch command to the display 807 and to the speech outputswitching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU 803 exchangesinformation with the DSP 805 and can access an optionally incorporatedSIM card 849 and a memory 851. In addition, the MCU 803 executes variouscontrol functions required of the terminal. The DSP 805 may, dependingupon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventionaldigital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 805determines the background noise level of the local environment from thesignals detected by microphone 811 and sets the gain of microphone 811to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the userof the mobile terminal 801.

The CODEC 813 includes the ADC 823 and DAC 843. The memory 851 storesvarious data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storingother data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet.The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers,or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. Thememory device 851 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD,ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memorystorage, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storingdigital data.

An optionally incorporated SIM card 849 carries, for instance, importantinformation, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplyingservice, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card849 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 801 on a radionetwork. The card 849 also contains a memory for storing a personaltelephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobileterminal settings.

While the invention has been described in connection with a number ofembodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited butcovers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, whichfall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of theinvention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it iscontemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination andorder.

1. A method comprising: causing, at least in part, an aggregation ofprobe data associated with at least one vehicle into at least one tunnelpath based, at least in part, on a network geometry topology for atleast one tunnel; causing, at least in part, a designation of at leastone probe point collected upstream of the at least one tunnel as atleast one starting point of the at least one tunnel path, wherein atimestamp for the at least one probe point is a collection time of theat least one probe point; causing, at least in part, a designation of atleast one temporary probe point as at least one endpoint of the at leastone tunnel path, wherein the at least one temporary probe point isdownstream of the at least one tunnel and wherein a timestamp for the atleast one temporary probe point is a current time; and determining atleast one temporary tunnel speed for the at least one tunnel path based,at least in part, on the timestamp for the at least one probe point andthe current time associated with the at least one temporary probe point.2. A method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that at leastone actual probe point associated with the at least one vehicle has beencollected downstream of the at least one tunnel; and determining atleast one real tunnel speed in place of the at least one temporarytunnel speed based, at least in part, on the at least one actual probepoint.
 3. A method of claim 1, further comprising: determining anestimated traffic congestion status of the at least one tunnel based, atleast in part, on the at least one temporary tunnel speed.
 4. A methodof claim 3, further comprising: causing, at least in part, an initiationof the determination of the estimated traffic congestion status if theat least one temporary tunnel speed crosses at least one thresholdlevel.
 5. A method of claim 3, further comprising: determiningcongestion information associated with the one or more upstream links,the one or more downstream links, or a combination thereof, wherein theestimated traffic congestion status is further based, at least in part,on the congestion information.
 6. A method of claim 1, furthercomprising: causing, at least in part, a validation of the aggregationof the probe data into the at least one tunnel path by map-matching theprobe data to the network geometry topology, the one or more upstreamlinks, the one or more downstream links, the at least one tunnel, or acombination thereof.
 7. A method of claim 1, further comprising:determining one or more upstream links, one or more downstream links, ora combination thereof associated with the at least one tunnel, whereinthe one or more upstream links represents one or more upstream travelsegments that is traveled to enter the at least one tunnel and whereinthe one or more downstream links represents one or more downstreamtravel segments that is traveled when exiting the at least one tunnel;and causing, at least in part, a creation of the network geometrytopology for the at least one tunnel based, at least in part, on the oneor more upstream links, the one or more downstream links, or acombination thereof.
 8. A method of claim 1, further comprising:causing, at least in part, a flagging of the one or more upstream links,the one or more downstream links, or a combination thereof in at leastone mapping database to associate the one or more upstream links, theone or more downstream links, or a combination thereof with the at leastone tunnel.
 9. A method of claim 8, wherein the flagging is based, atleast in part, on at least one tunnel identifier associated with the atleast one tunnel.
 10. A method of claim 1, wherein the aggregation ofthe probe data is persistent for a predetermined period of time; andwherein the temporary tunnel speed is determined continuously,periodically, according to a schedule, on demand, or a combinationthereof.
 11. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and atleast one memory including computer program code for one or moreprograms, the at least one memory and the computer program codeconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus toperform at least the following, cause, at least in part, an aggregationof probe data associated with at least one vehicle into at least onetunnel path based, at least in part, on a network geometry topology forat least one tunnel; cause, at least in part, a designation of at leastone probe point collected upstream of the at least one tunnel as atleast one starting point of the at least one tunnel path, wherein atimestamp for the at least one probe point is a collection time of theat least one probe point; cause, at least in part, a designation of atleast one temporary probe point as at least one endpoint of the at leastone tunnel path, wherein the at least one temporary probe point isdownstream of the at least one tunnel and wherein a timestamp for the atleast one temporary probe point is a current time; and determine atleast one temporary tunnel speed for the at least one tunnel path based,at least in part, on the timestamp for the at least one probe point andthe current time associated with the at least one temporary probe point.12. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further causedto: determine that at least one actual probe point associated with theat least one vehicle has been collected downstream of the at least onetunnel; and determine at least one real tunnel speed in place of the atleast one temporary tunnel speed based, at least in part, on the atleast one actual probe point.
 13. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein theapparatus is further caused to: determine an estimated trafficcongestion status of the at least one tunnel based, at least in part, onthe at least one temporary tunnel speed.
 14. An apparatus of claim 13,wherein the apparatus is further caused to: cause, at least in part, aninitiation of the determination of the estimated traffic congestionstatus if the at least one temporary tunnel speed crosses at least onethreshold level.
 15. An apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus isfurther caused to: determine congestion information associated with theone or more upstream links, the one or more downstream links, or acombination thereof, wherein the estimated traffic congestion status isfurther based, at least in part, on the congestion information.
 16. Anapparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:cause, at least in part, a validation of the aggregation of the probedata into the at least one tunnel path by map-matching the probe data tothe network geometry topology, the one or more upstream links, the oneor more downstream links, the at least one tunnel, or a combinationthereof.
 17. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is furthercaused to: determine one or more upstream links, one or more downstreamlinks, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one tunnel,wherein the one or more upstream links represents one or more upstreamtravel segments that is traveled to enter the at least one tunnel andwherein the one or more downstream links represents one or moredownstream travel segments that is traveled when exiting the at leastone tunnel; and cause, at least in part, a creation of the networkgeometry topology for the least one tunnel based, at least in part, onthe one or more upstream links, the one or more downstream links, or acombination thereof.
 18. A computer readable storage medium includingone or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executedby one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform:causing, at least in part, an aggregation of probe data associated withat least one vehicle into at least one tunnel path based, at least inpart, on a network geometry topology for at least one tunnel; causing,at least in part, a designation of at least one probe point collectedupstream of the at least one tunnel as at least one starting point ofthe at least one tunnel path, wherein a timestamp for the at least oneprobe point is a collection time of the at least one probe point;causing, at least in part, a designation of at least one temporary probepoint as at least one endpoint of the at least one tunnel path, whereinthe at least one temporary probe point is downstream of the at least onetunnel and wherein a timestamp for the at least one temporary probepoint is a current time; and determining at least one temporary tunnelspeed for the at least one tunnel path based, at least in part, on thetimestamp for the at least one probe point and the current timeassociated with the at least one temporary probe point.
 19. A computerreadable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is furthercaused to perform: determining that at least one actual probe pointassociated with the at least one vehicle has been collected downstreamof the at least one tunnel; and determining at least one real tunnelspeed in place of the at least one temporary tunnel speed based, atleast in part, on the at least one actual probe point.
 20. A computerreadable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is furthercaused to perform: determining an estimated traffic congestion status ofthe at least one tunnel based, at least in part, on the at least onetemporary tunnel speed. 21.-48. (canceled)